Flame adjusting device for gas lighters

ABSTRACT

A flame adjusting device of a gas lighter has a disk in the conduit between the fuel tank and the burner valve, which disk is porous and substantially incompressible and is provided with at least one elastic body in pressure contact with a major surface of the disk, and the area of contact between the elastic body and the disk is variable with the pressure exerted therebetween, thereby varying the flow of gas in the conduit.

- LIGHTERS 805,079 11/1905 UnitedStates Patent 11 1 1111 3,766,946Corarg 1 [4 Oct. 23, 1973 [5 1 FLAME ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR GAS 3,058,49110/1962 2,764,183 9/1956 [75] ,lnventor: Claus-Christian Co a g,2,829,674 4/1958 Segelhorst 138/45 Steinbachtaunus, Germany [73]Assignee: Braun Aktiengese sc Primary Examiner-Herbert F. Ross FrankfurtGermany Att0mey-Ernest F. Marmorek 221 Filed: Aug.12, 1971 i 21 Appl.No.: 171,306 [57] ABSTRACT 5 Related US. Application Data [63]Continuation of Ser. No. 859,927, Sept. 22, 1969,

abandoned.

A flame adjusting device of a gas lighter has a disk in the conduitbetween the fuel tank and the burner valve, which disk is porous andsubstantially incom- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 25,1968 Luxembourg 56,958 pressibie and is provided with at least one a ibody in pressure contact with a major surface of the disk, [52] 11.8.CI. 138/44, 138/46 and the area f contact between the elastic body and[51] int. Cl FlSd 1/02 the disk is variable with the pressure exerted h[58] Field ofSearch l38/4l4 6; 137/625} tween, theteby varying theflowgt gas in the i [56] References Cited e UNiTED STATES p ATENTS 3Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 2,777,464 1/1957 Mosely 138/46 X PAIENIEnum2a 1915 3. 7 66 Q 946 sum 1 or 2 7 ,i v 1 i v f 3z 3 42 f 4 5IHHHIHIHIHIIHIHHIII 32 Hg. 4 Fig 5 PATENTED BU 2 3 I813 SHEET 2 OF 2Fig. 10

HHIHIHHIIIHIIHHHIHTYI Fig. 8

FLAME ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR GAS LIGHTERS This is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 859,927, filed Sept. 22, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to gas lighters, andrelates more particularly to a flame adjusting device for gas lighters.

Gas lighters are known which have a flame adjusting device in theconduit between the tank and the burner which carry out the flameadjusting by means of a capillary reduction, or by compression, of aporous mass, thereby varying the flow cross section of the gas withinthe burner valve. Such a porous mass is formed as a compressible disk,to which there is applied an elastic ring, such as a rubber ring. Theflame adjusting is carried out by compressing the porous mass and therubber ring: the larger the compression of the material, the smallerwill be the flow cross section, and thus there will be transmitted acorrespondingly reduced amount of gas. There arrangements, however, havethe disadvantage that the adjustment is difficult to reproduce, and doesnot admit of automatic regulation.

It has furthermore been proposed to carry out the flame adjustmentwithin a channel of variable length. By varying the length of thechannel, the friction of gas flowing through the channel is changed.Also this solution, however, has the disadvantage that it does not admitof any self regulation of the flame; furthermore, as there is but onechannel available, there is the danger of clogging of the channelresulting in a malfunctioning or non-functioning of the lighter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly among the principal objectsof the invention to provide for a flame adjustment in a gas lighter thatcarries out the adjustment easily and in which the size of the flame maybe held constant automatically.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a flameadjustment by means of which the flame will remain the sameindependently of the pressure within the fuel tank.

Generally speaking, this is accomplished by a control by the tankpressure of the pressure exerted from an elastic body against a poroussubstantially incompressible disk. Instead of one body making contactwith one major surface of the disk, there may be a plurality of bodiesin contact with a plurality of surfaces of the disk.

Either one or several elastic bodies may be compressed either by the gaspressure within the tank and- /or by the pressure of a set screw.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the form of the elastic bodyis either that of acone, or of a funnel or cup; the elastic body orbodies may have central bores into which there may be placed metalrings. In accordance with a further embodiment, the self-regulation ofthe flame adjustment may be improved by providing a second porous memberon the side of the first porous member which faces in the directiontowards the fuel tank.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the elastic body may becomposed of co-axial O-rings, the diameter of which decreases towardsthe center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary central sectional view of a flame adjustingdevice for gas lighters showing a porous disk and a funnel shapedelastic body applied to one side of the porous disk before anysubstantial pressure is applied between the elastic body and the disk;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a detail of FIG. 1, but showing the porousdisk and the deformed elastic body owing to pressure exerted between theelastic body and the disk;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a detail similar to FIG. I, butdisclosing two elastic bodies applied oppositely on the two surfaces ofthe disk;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, but embodyinga modification, showing a conical elastic body pressed by a pressureelement against the porous disk;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pressure element of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a large scale fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 1,but embodying a further modification showing a funnel shaped porousdisk, and a second porous disk, and a cup shaped elastic body engagingthe funnel shaped disk, indicating the position of these parts beforethe application of any substantial pressure;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a detail of FIG. 6, butshowing the funnel shaped disk and the cup shaped elastic body inengagement after the application of pressure;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but embodyinga further modification, showing two porous disks, and a funnel shapedelastic body;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing afurther modification in which the elastic body is composed of aplurality of co-axial O-rings; and

FIG. -10 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, but showinga still further modification in which a porous disk is surmounted by anelastic body and supported by a resilient rubber body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In carrying the invention intoeffect in the embodiments which have been selected for illustration inthe accompanying drawings and for description in this specification, andreferring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided a conduit1 in which there is disposed a connecting piece 2 that leads to a fueltank (not shown). A burner valve 3 is provided, the lower portion ofwhich is shown in FIG. I projecting into the conduit 1. Between the part3 and the connecting piece 2 there is provided an elastic body, such asa rubber body 4 which is funnel shaped; below the rubber body 4 there isprovided a porous, substantially incompressible disk shaped body ormember 5. The porous member 5 preferably is porous in the axialdirection, namely axially of the conduit 1.

The elastic body 4 has a bore 41 that is aligned with a bore 31 that isdefined in the lower portion of the burner valve 3.

Whenever the burner valve 3 or the connecting piece 2 moves axiallytowards the other, the elastic body 4 will be squeezed on the porousmember 5. The porous member 5 is gas permeable. By the aforesaidsqueezing,

however, the flow cross section for the fuel gas through the porousmember will be reduced, as best shown in FIG. 2.

By this squeezing, there will furthermore be reduced the width of thebore 41 of the elastic body 4. If, however, such a reduction of thewidth of the bore 5 should be undesirable, such a reduction may beprevented by inserting a metal insert 411 (FIG. 2) into the elastic body4, thereby maintaining the cross section of the bore 41 constant. A A

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, there are shown two elastic bodies 4, oneon each of the major sides of the disk shaped porous member 5. The twobodies 4 perform the same function as that of the single body 4 ofFIG. 1. Similarly, both bodies 4 are funnel shaped, as in FIG. 1. Theprovision of two elastic bodies 4, instead of but a single body 4 as inFIG. 1 offers the advantage that the cross sectional area for the gasstream flow is now reduced also upstream of the disk 5, as well asdownstream thereof. This arrangement is particularly advantageous whenthe disk 5 is a porous member that is primarily porous in a directionaxially of the disk, respectively the conduit 1. This arrangement ofFIG. 3

provides for an increased self regulation where the gas pressure withinthe tank is subjected to variations. The higher the gas pressure, themore will the disk 5 be pressed against the upper elastic body 4; as aresult, the funnel base will be reduced stronger in width.

In the modification of FIG. 4, the elastic rubber body 4 is no longerfunnel shaped but is cone shaped. The function of the body 4 relative tothe porous disk member 5, however, is similar to that of the precedingviews. Also the self regulation is provided for in accordance with theembodiment of FIG. 4, for which purpose there are provided elastic seals6 below the porous disk member 5. The purpose of the elastic seals 6 isto avoid the bypassing around the disk 5 by the gases that streamupwardly. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, on the other hand, thissealing function is performed automatically by the elastic body orbodies 4.

In FIG. 4, the seal between the conduit housing 1 and the burner valve 3furthermore includes an additional elastic sealing element 7. Theadvantage of this arrangement of FIG. 4 is that the expanded gas willpass around the elastic body 4 in contact with the interior surface ofthe conduit housing 1. This increases the heat exchange between the gasand the conduit 1. This heat exchange prevents a back condensation thatmight easily lead to flickering of the flame. For promoting this effectstill further, it is advantageous to surround the elastic body 4 with ametal sleeve 42. The lower portion of theburner valve 3, as best shownin FIGS. 4 and 5, is provided with radial ribs 32, to promote the flowof the gas into the burner valve 3.

In the modification of FIG. 6, the porous member 5 has an arcuate funnelshaped upper surface 51 for contact with the lower, inner surface of thecup shaped elastic body 4 (FIG. 7). The lower surface 52 of the porousmember 5 is similarly arcuately shaped, in order to provide for uniformthickness throughout the width of the porous member 5. The elastic body4, as previously indicated, is cup shaped and surmounts the porousmember 5. Above the elastic body 4 there is again provided a portion. Inthe preceding views, this portion has been identified as a part of theburner valve 3. In FIGS. 6-10, however, the portion 3 is shown diskshaped; it either forms a part of the burner valve or leads to it; andhence in FIGS. 6-10 it will be referred to as the portion 3. The cupshaped elastic body 4 of FIGS. 6 and 7 has an upper tubular projection43 that engages the portion 3 for pressure takeup. The elastic body 4surrounds with its cup shaped portion the porous member 5. A cup shapedporous body 8 is provided that supports the porous member 5 and which,in turn, is supported by helical compression spring 9 that is supportedfrom below. The second porous member, namely a porous disk 10 that isporous in the axial direction is mounted on the cup shaped body 8,upstream of the porous member 5. The porous disk 10 together with theporous member 5 provide for a pressure drop between the interior andexterior of the elastic body 4.

In FIG. 7, there is illustrated in detail as to how the elastic body 4under pressure will cover a portion of the upper surface 51 of theporous member 5, and thereby will reduce the cross section for the flowof the gas through the porous member 5.

In FIG. 8, there is shown a further modification wherein the elasticbody 4 has a funnel shaped lower portion that surrounds the porous diskmember 5 as well as the second porous disk 10. The elastic body 4 has anupper plate portion 44 for engaging the underside of the portion 3.

The portion 3 of FIGS. 6-10 is movable axially, in contrast to thecorresponding arrangement of FIGS. 1-5.

In order to maintain the tension of the elastic body 4, there isprovided a helical compression spring between the lower funnel shapedportion of the body 4 and the upper plate portion 44 thereof and whichpresses the plate portion 44 against the portion 3 and presses the lowerfunnel shaped portion towards the porous disk member 5.

The cup shaped porous body 8, in a manner similar to that of FIG. 6separates the disks 5 and 10, and the spring 9 exerts pressure betweenthe connecting piece 2 and the disk 10. The provision of the two disks 5and 10 that are spaced apart, similar to that of FIG. 6, again has for apurpose to build up a pressure differential between the exterior of thefunnel shaped lower portion of the body 4 and the interior thereof, thusproviding for a relative overpressure on the exterior of said funnelshaped lower portion of the elastic body 4.

In the modification of FIG. 9, the elastic body of the previous views,for instance of FIGS. 1-3, isin the form of a series, for instance threeO-rings 45, 46, 47 which are co-axial about the axis of the conduitl..The O-rings 45, 46 and 47 engage with their lower surfaces the uppersurface of the porous disk member 5.

In the modification of FIG. 10, the elastic body has a greater heightthan width, thereby providing for a greater resiliency in the axialdirection. In order to maintain the equilibrium during self-regulationof the flame adjustment by means of the gas pressure, there is provideda further elastic body 101 that supports the porous disk member 5 frombelow and, in turn, is supported from below. The portion 3 engages withits underside the upper surface of the elastic body 4. The lower portionof the elastic body 4, on the other hand, similar to the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, is funnel shaped.

When through axial downward movement of the portion 3 the pressureagainst the elastic body 4 below is increased, this will result in areduction of the funnel base area. The same result will be achieved ifdue to an overpressure, the porous disk 5 is pushed upwardly against theelastic body 4. When the gas pressure is reduced, however, for instancedue to cold surroundings, the porous disk 5 will be moved downwardly, inthe direction away from the elastic body 4, thereby resulting in anincrease of the funnel base area.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tobe secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A flame adjusting device, for use in connection with a gas lighterhaving a conduit between the fuel tank and the burner valve and anincompressible porous member in said conduit,

comprising in combination,

at least one elastic body operable to engage at least a portion of asurface of said porous member, the area of said portion varying inaccordance with the variations of pressure exerted between said elasticbody and said surface, thereby adjusting the flow of gas in at least aportion of said conduit, and a second elastic body operable to engage atleast a portion of another surface of said porous member.

2. A flame adjusting device, as claimed in claim 1, said second elasticbody having a shape similar to that of said first body and beingarranged substantially symmetrically relative thereto about said porousmember.

3. A flame adjusting device for use in connection with a gas lighterhaving a conduit between the fuel tank and the burner valve and anincompressible porous member in said conduit,

comprising in combination,

at least one elastic body operable to engage at least a portion of asurface of said porous member, the area of said portion varying inaccordance with the variations of pressure exerted between said elasticbody and said surface, thereby adjusting the flow of gas in at least aportion of said conduit, said elastic body including a plurality ofco-axial O-rings having decreasing height with decreasing radius.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,766,9Lr6 DatedOctober 23, 1973 Patent No.

Inventor(s) Claus-Christian Gobarg,

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet item [75] Inventor "Claus-Christian g f i' shouldread Claus-Christian Gobarg Signed and sealed this 26th day of March1971 (SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer USCOMM'DC 6O376-P69 U.Sv GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: 1969 0-366-334. I i

F ORM PO-1050 (10-69)

1. A flame adjusting device, for use in connection with a gas lighterhaving a conduit between the fuel tank and the burner valve and anincompressible porous member in said conduit, comprising in combination,at least one elastic body operable to engage at least a portion of asurface of said porous member, the area of said portion varying inaccordance with the variations of pressure exerted between said elasticbody and said surface, thereby adjusting the flow of gas in at least aportion of said conduit, and a second elastic body operable to engage atleast a portion of another surface of said porous member.
 2. A flameadjusting device, as claimed in claim 1, said second elastic body havinga shape similar to that of said first body and being arrangedsubstantially symmetrically relative thereto about said porous member.3. A flame adjusting deviCe for use in connection with a gas lighterhaving a conduit between the fuel tank and the burner valve and anincompressible porous member in said conduit, comprising in combination,at least one elastic body operable to engage at least a portion of asurface of said porous member, the area of said portion varying inaccordance with the variations of pressure exerted between said elasticbody and said surface, thereby adjusting the flow of gas in at least aportion of said conduit, said elastic body including a plurality ofco-axial O-rings having decreasing height with decreasing radius.